Method of and machine for removing lasts from shoes



E. B. GRUSH 2,093,435

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR REMOVING LASTS FROM SHOES Sept. 21; 1937;

Filed Jan. 10, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet l AVVf/VTUR E. B. GRUSH Sept. 21, 1937.

v METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR REMOVING LASTS FROM SHOES Filed Jan. 10, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept."21, 1937. E. B. GRUSH METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR REMOVING LASTS FROM $110135 Filed Jan. 10, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. 3. 1%

84L Y5 I 80 R-m" E. B. GRUSH Sept. 21, 1937.

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR REMOVING LASTS FROM SHOES Filed Jan. 10, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I E. B. GR USH 2,093,435 METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR REMOVING. LASTS FROM SHOES Sept. .21, 1937'.

Filed Jan. 10, '1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 //V1/ENT0R Patented Sept. 21, 1937 UNITED STATES METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR REMOVING LASTS FROM SHOES Elmer B. Grush, Beverly, Mass,

assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Paterson, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application January 10, 1934, Serial No. 706,087

32 Claims.

This invention relates to the removal of lasts from shoes and particularly to the use of air under pressure for that purpose.

An object of the invention consists in the provision of an improved method of removing shoes from lasts. In practicing the method of the invention, a last with a shoe thereon is mounted upon a last pin and air under pressure is forced between the shoe and the last. Such pressure will tend not only to urge the shoe off the last but will serve also slightly to distend the shoe and to break the adhesion between the lining of the shoe and the last and generally to diminish the friction between the shoe and the last, thus facilitating the removal of the shoe. The air is preferably admitted through the last pin, which is hollow, and thence through one or more passages in the last. Preferably also, the air, or a portion of it, is forced between the rear end of the last and the interior of the shoe upper to loosen that portion of the shoe from the last, and the rear end of the shoe is then urged off the last. After the rear end of the shoe has been removed from the last the invention further contemplates the introduction of air under pressure into the forward portion of the shoe to urge that portion forwardly off the last. In some cases air pressure alone may be sufficient to remove the shoe, but ordinarily it is desirable to apply to the outside of the shoe a force tending to assist the air pressure in removing the shoe from the last.

A further object of the invention consists in the provision of an improved machine for separating shoes and lasts. This machine in its simplest form and as illustrated herein consists of a hollow last pin adapted to be received with in the thimble hole of a last in combination with means for introducing air under pressure through the last pin and thence through one or more passages in the last, the air thus being forced out between the shoe and the last to effect relative separation between the shoe and the last. An improved last, adapted to cooperate with the machine and disclosed herein, constitutes the subject-matter of a divisional application Serial No. 79,014, filed in my name May 11, 1936. While, as previously stated, air pressure alone may be sufficient in certain classes of work for removing lasts from shoes, it ordinarily happens that in more difficult work it is desirable to supplement the action of the airby a force acting upon the outside of the shoe. Indeed, in very difficult work it is frequently desirable to exert a con siderable force upon the outside of the shoe. In work of this character, the force required is often such as to render the use of a mechanical device preferable to manual effort. In view of this, and in accordance with a further feature of the invention, I have illustrated machines of a type provided with a member frictionally engageable with the exterior of the shoe, together with means for effecting a relative movement between the last pin and the frictionally engageable member to separate the shoe from the last. In such a machine the actual force exerted by the instrumentalities engaging the outside of the shoe may be considerably greater than that of the air pressure within the shoe. However, the air pressure not only assists the outside member directly in removing the shoe, but also by slightly distending the shoe, breaking the adhesion between the lining and the last and, by acting as a lubricant between the shoe and the last; facilitates the action of the outside engaging member.

Still other objects and features of the invention are set forth in the accompanying specification and claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which,

'Fig. 1 is a sectional View in side elevation of an improved shoe and last separating machine embodying the invention; 1

Fig. 2 is a sectional fragmentary view in side elevation of another improved shoe and last separating machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of certain portions of the machine shown in Fig. 2;

Fig; 4 is a detail showing in perspective certain parts shown in Figs. 2 and 3; i -Fig. 5 is a still further enlarged View of 'certainparts of the machine shown in Figs; 2 and 3, showing the shoe and last at an intermediate stage of the removal;

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the forward end of the last shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectional View taken on the linev VV of Fig. 5 showing the position of the last at a still further stage of the removal;

Fig. 8 isa sectional view in side elevation of still another improved machine embodying the invention; and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion'of the mechanism shown in Fig. 8 showing the last and the shoe at an intermediate stage of the removal.

Except as to the novel features and combinations of the present invention, the machine shown in Fig. 1 corresponds substantially to the machine described and illustrated 'in United States Letters Patent No. 1,383,284, granted July 5, 1921, upon the application of M. F. Brogan. The supporting structure of the machine consists of a hollow frame ill having bearings for a shaft 52 upon which is mounted a loose pulley M adapted to be driven by any convenient source of power. The shaft l2 may be driven by a clutch l6 comprising a pair of engaging members connected to the shaft I2 and the pulley [4, respectively. Driving engagement of the clutch members I6 is effected by depressing a treadle l8. Secured upon the shaft I2 is a worm 2!? which meshes with a worm gear 22 secured of the thrust rod 52.

upon a shaft 24 journaled in bearings carried by the frame l8. A cam disk 26 which also is secured upon the shaft 24 operates mechanism for disengaging the clutch members l6 when the cam disk has completed a half revolution, thereby stopping the machine upon completion of a cycle of operations. The cam disk 26 serves also to drive the operating instrumentalities of the machine, which comprise a mechanism for gripping the shoe and a mechanism for withdrawing the last from the shoe. The shoe-gripping mechanism comprises a pair of members 28 which engage the lateral surfaces of the rear end of the upper of a shoe S. The members 28 are similar to each other and only one of them is shown in the drawings. These members are urged toward each other into clamping engagement with the lasted shoe by a'mechanism associated with a slide rod,38 which is operated by a bell crank 32 having a roller 34 in engagement with a cam surface formed upon the disk 26. The last-withdrawing mechanism operates to pull downwardly upon alast pin 36 whichis received within the thimble hole of a last L within the shoe S, at the same time rocking the pin so as to cramp it in the thimble hole of the last. The last pin 36 is carried by a lever 38 which is fulcrumed upon one arm of a bell crank 48. The bell crank 48 is itself pivotally mounted upon the upper end of a slide rod 42 which is guided for up-anddown movement by a bearing 44 secured upon the frame I 8. The other arm of the bell crank 48 is yieldably supported by a spring link 58 having an abutment carried by the lower portion of the slide rod 42. The lower end of the rod 42 is pivotally connected to the outer end of a lever 46 which is loosely fulcrumed upon a pin 48 secured tothe frame l8. The lever 46 is normally held up by a spring 58. Depression of the lever 46 is effected by a thrust rod 52, theupper slotted end of which straddles the shaft 24. The thrust rod 52 carries a roller (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1) which is engaged by cam arms 54 carried by the disk 26 whereby each half revolution of the disk 26 will cause a downward movement The machine is provided also with a rubber-padded V-shaped member 56 for engaging the rear surface of the heel of the shoe S to prevent rearward movement of the shoe and to aid the gripper members 28 in resisting downward movement.

In operating the machine as so far described the last is mounted on the last pin and the lever 38 is swung upwardly by hand tobring the heel of the shoe into engagement with the padded member 56. The operator then depresses the treadle l8, whereupon the shaft l2 starts rotatingand the gripper members 28 are caused to clamp the shoe between them. Rotation of the shaft l2 alsov causes the slide rod 42 to pull downwardly upon the bell crank 48, thereby drawing downwardly upon the last pin 36. The first efiect of the .downward pull is to cause the last pin 36 to grip the thimble hole of the last. Continued downward pull of the slide rod 42 causes the last pin 36 to withdraw the shoe from the last. The above-described arrangement of the lever 38, the bell crank 48 and the spring link 58 enables the last pin 36 to change its line 10f pull upon the last as the withdrawal of the shoe progresses, the changeof direction taking place in such a way as to develop a minimum of resistance between the shoe and the last.

The last pin 36, for reasons which will later be explained, is hollow and has 1 55 ou er end. pe

The spring 58 has been substituted for reasons of convenience in place of the weight shown in the above-mentioned patent to Brogan. Except, however, for these differences, the parts above described are similar in their construction and mode of operation to the corresponding parts of the Brogan machine, and for a more complete understanding of such parts reference may be had to the Brogan patent.

The machine shown in Fig. 1 is also provided with a mechanism, which will now be described, for introducing air under pressure through the hollow last pin 36. A compression cylinder 68 is pivotally mounted upon a pin 62 within the lower portion of the frame l8. Within the cylinder 68 is a piston 64 secured to one end of a rod 66. The opposite end of the rod 66 is pivotally connected to the lever '46. In communication of the cylinder 68 upon the pin 62 permits the cylinder 68 to swing to accommodate the changing direction of the rod 66 as the latter is urged downwardly. The last L has formed within it a pair of ducts 14 which lead from the thimble hole to the bottom surface of the last. The compressed air from the last pin 36 will flow through the ducts I4 into the space between the shoe and the last. Air pressure is thus developed between the shoe and the last as the last pin 36 is bein pulled downwardly. Such air pressurenot only tends to force the last downwardly but it also slightly distends the shoe, breaking the bond between the shoe lining and the last, reducing the friction between the last and the shoe, and generally facilitating and assisting in the removal of the shoe so that the shoe may be removed from the last with very little strain and without likelihood of being damaged.

Figs. 2 to 7 inclusive show the invention as embodied in a shoe and last separating machine of the type disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 1,820,952, granted September 1, 1931,

upon the application of John VVhelton and Arthur F. Pym. The supporting structure of that machine, in so far as it is shown in Figs. 2 and 3, consists of a hollow frame 16. Journaled in bearings in the upper portion of the frame 16 is a shaft 18 upon which is mounted a rubber roll 88. convenient source of power, such as an electric motor, serves to drive the shaft 18 through gear-' ing 382. Extending forwardly from the frame 16 is a pin 19 upon which is rotatably mounted a sleeve 88. 82 may be clamped at any desired position of longitudinal adjustment. The sleeve 82 carries a pair of trunnions 84. Upon the trunnions 84 is pivotally mounted the forked lower end of a lever 86 in the upper portion of which is carried a tubular rod 88. The rod 88 extends upwardly beyond the end of the lever 86, and the upwardly extending end portion of the rod 88 is adapted to be received within the thimble hole of a last L having a shoe S thereon. The.

lever 86 has formed upon it an extension 98 A shaft 308, which is itself driven by any Upon the sleeve 88 a second sleevev which is connected by a link 304, a lever 306 and a rod 308 to a treadle 3I0. Formed in the lever 88 is a slot 92 which is engaged by a crank pin 04 secured to a shaft 98 which is driven by mechanism 3I2 to cause lateral oscillation of the lever 86 so that the locality of engagement of the shoe S with the roll 80 will be shifted lengthwise of the roll, thereby distributing the wear along the length of the roll. Depression of the treadle 3I0 swings the lever 86 inwardly causing the shoe S to approach the roll 80. The direction of rotation of the roll 80 is indicated in Fig. 3 by an arrow. As the counter portion of the shoe S engages the roll 80 the rear end of the shoe will be raised upwardly from the last L. The mechanism 3I2 is operated by the rod 308 to cause a slight lateral shifting of the lever 86 for each depression of the treadle so that each shoe engages the roll 80 at a different locality from the preceding shoe. Except as hereinafter noted, the above described members (except the rod 88) are all substantially similar in construction and mode of operation to the corresponding members disclosed in the above-mentioned Letters Patent No. 1,820,952, and for a fuller understanding of this portion of the machine reference may be had to that patent.

The machine illustrated in Figs. 2 to 7 inclusive is, however, provided with a mechanism, which will now be described, for introducing com pressed air through the thimble hole of the last L. The tubular rod 88 extends downwardly within a sleeve 98 which is non-rotatably secured for up-and-down adjustment within the lever 88. Up-and-down movement of the sleeve 98 is effected by a pinion I00 which engages a rack I02 formed upon the sleeve 98. The pinion I00 may be turned by means of a knurled head I04. A pin I06 extending within a slot 08 formed in the sleeve 98 prevents rotation of the sleeve. The tubular rod 88 for the greater part of its length extends within the sleeve 38, being slidably mounted therein. The lower end portion of the rod 88, however, extends beyond the lower end of the sleeve 98. just as the up er end portion of the rod 88 extends beyond the upper end of the sleeve 98. Within the rod 88 is an air duct IIO, the lower end of which communicates with a flexible conduit H2. Secured upon the lever 86 is a self-closing and normally closed valve H4 having an operat ng stem IE3. The outlet side of the valve is connected to the flexible conduit II 2 while the inlet side of the valve is connected to a flexible conduit I I8. Air under pressure is supplied to the conduit I I8 from a pipe 820 which leads to a reducing valve I22 and thence into the conduit II8. Secured in the frame I6 is a screw I 24 upon which is. threaded a nut I28 having a knurled head I28. The nut I26 is so positioned as to have its head I28 engaged by the valve stem II8 upon movement of the lever 86 toward the roll 80. The timing of such engagement is controlled by adjustment of the nut I28 inwardly or outwardly.

Clamped upon the lower portion of the tubular rod 88 is a block I30. The upper portion of the block I30 is split, or rather divided by a kerf, into two clamping members I3I, shown best in Fig. 4. The termination of the kerf is indicated on Fig. 2 by a line i29. The clamping members I3! are drawn toward each other and are thereby caused to exert clamping pressure upon the rod 88 by a pair of bolts I33. Extending upwardly from each of the clamping members I3I is a dog I35.

The dogs I are received within a diametrical slot formed in the lower end of the sleeve 98, and they serve to prevent rotation of the block I30 and thereby of the rod 88 while permitting up-and-down sliding movement of the rod 88 relatively to the sleeve 98. The block I30 is provided with a nipple over which is fitted one end of the flexible air conduit I I2. A passage within the block I30 provides communication between the nipple and the lower end of the tubular rod 88.

Extending downwardly from the block I30 is'a pin I32. The pin I32 is not, however, rigidly connected to the member I30 but is pivotally secured upon a lever I34 which in turn is fulcrumed upon a pin I36 secured in member I30. A spring I38 which is interposed between the member I30 and one end of the lever I34 causes the opposite end of the lever I34 normally to bear against the member I30. spring I38 may be adjusted by a screw I40. The lower portion of the pin I32 is slidable within a bearing block I42 which is pivotally mounted upon a pin I44 secured in a lug I46 which extends from the trunnion sleeve 82. Ratchet teeth I are formed upon the lower portion of the pin I32. Pivotally mounted upon the pin I44 is a pawl I50 adapted to engage the ratchet teeth I48. A spring I52 interposed between the bearing block I42 and the tail of the pawl I50 tends to urge the pawl into engagement with the ratchet teeth 48. Pivotally mounted upon the-tail of the pawl i5?) is a stem I54 which, for purposes of lengthwise adjustment, is conveniently made in two parts having threaded engagement with each other. The outer end of the st'em I54 bears against the lever extension 80 in which is formed a depression I56 for receiving the end of the stem. It will be evident that upon swinging movement of the lever 88 about the axis of. the trunnions 84 1 movement of the lever 88 will cause the pawl I50 to exert, relatively, a downward'pull upon the pin I 32 because the pin i32 is now constrained to a movement of pure rotation about the axis of the pin I44 and consequently is unable to follow the lever 88 in its swinging movement about the axis of the trunnions 84. The effect, as the lever 88 swings inwardly, will be a relative retraction of the rod 88 with respect to the lever 80 and the sleeve 98. It will be noted, however, that the pin I32 is not rigidly connected to the rod 88 and that the spring I38 will yield when the relative down-.

ward pull upon the rod 88 becomes excessive.

The upper end portion of the rod 80 is of a diameter to fit the thimble hole of a last such as the last L. This end portion, however, which is of the normal diameter of a last pin, terminates in a shoulder I58 below which the diameter of the rod 88 is reduced. Surrounding the rod 88 below and in abutting relation to the shoulder I58 is a short sleeve or ring I60, preferably of rubber, adapted to fill up the space between the thimble hole of the last L' and that portion of the rod 88 which is of reduced diameter. The lower end of the sleeve the sleeve 98 but against a rubber gasket I62 The compression of the heel portion of the last. A branch duct I66 leads from the duct I64 to the rear end surface of the last at a. locality adjacent to the last bottom. Another duct I68 leads forwardly from the thimble hole, and when the last is completely broken; as shown in Fig. 5, the duct I68 communicates with a duct I16 formed in the forward section of the last and terminating through three diverging branches I12 in openings in the toe portion of the last. A rubber gasket I14 secured in the forward section of the'last is compressed when the last is completely broken and prevents leakage of air frombetween the ducts I68 and I16. The thimble hole of the last L is provided with a metallic lining I16 in which are formed valv'e'ports I15 and I11 communicating with the ducts I64 and I68, respectively. The passageway -II6 within the rod 88 terminates beyond the shoulder I58 in apair of radially directed valve openings I18 and I19. When the last occupies the position shown in Fig. and indicated in broken lines in Fig. '7, with the heel end of the shoe in engagement with the roll 86, the valve opening I18 will register with the port I15, admitting air to the duct I64, while the valve opening I19 will be closed. When, however, the last is turned to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 7, with the heel end of the shoe away from the roll 86, the valve opening I19 will register with the port I11, admitting air to the duct I68, while the valve opening I18 will be closed. As has already been pointed out, the rod 88 is held against rotation by the dogs I35..

In the operation ofv the machine illustrated in Figs. 2 to 7, inclusive, the last L having the shoe S" thereon is placed onthe'upper end of the rod 88. The operator thereupon, through the treadle-operated mechanism above described, causes the lever 86 to swing'inwardly about its trunnions, bringing the rear end of the shoe S into engagement with the roll 86. The swinging movement of the lever 86 will, as previously stated, cause the pawl I56 to exert a relatively downward pull upon the rod 88. This relatively downward pull will tend to compress longitudinally the rubber sleeve I66 betweenithe shoulder I58 and the gasket I62, thereby expanding the sleeve I66 diametrically and causing'it to grip securely the lining of the thimble hole of the last. The upper portion of the rod 88 functions as a last pin; and the upper portion of the rod 88 and the sleeve I66, taken together, may be regarded as constituting an expansible last pin- The sleeve I66 functions also as a packing ring, for when diametrically expanded it serves to prevent leakage of air from around he rod 88. The spring I38 will yield before'the downward pull upon 'the rod 88 becomes excessive. As the lever 86 swings inwardly, the valve stem I I6 will engage the head I28'of the nut I26 causing the valve II4to open and to permit air to flow through the rod into the ducts I64 and I66. 'It is important to adjust the nut I26 so as to cause the admission of air to take place just before engagement of the counter portion of the shoe with the roll 86. By reason of this adjustment, the air may be admitted in a predetermined timed relation to the engagement of the shoe with the roll 86. When the counter portion of the shoe engages the roll,

the rear end of the shoe will be lifted from the last with very little resistance. The last itself, being firmly gripped by the expanded sleeve I66, will resist any tendency to move upwardly with the shoe. The removal of the rear end of the shoe tends to break the hinged last L','such breaking being usually assisted by the operator who presses down upon the forepart of the shoe with his hand. Fig. 5 shows the positions of the shoe and the last just after the last has been broken. The operator will then swing the shoe about the last pin into the position shown in Fig. 7 away from the roll 86, and air will be admitted through the duct I16 to the toe end of the shoe and will facilitate, removal of that endfrom the last and the branch ducts I12 to the toe end of the shoe. The air pressure is thus applied in diverging directions against a plurality of localities simultaneously on the interior of the toe end of a shoe upper, the effect of which is to produce momen tarily a considerable expansion of the toe end of the shoe. The air not only tends to urge the shoe forwardly off the last, but also functionsas a lubricant between the expanded shoe and the last to facilitate removal of the toe end of the shoe from the last. The shoe may now be very easily removed from the last by hand. The operator then releases the treadle mechanism and permits the lever 86 to swing outwardly. As the stem II 6 recedes from the head I28 of the nut I26, the valve I I4 closes. Further outward movement of the lever 86 releases the pawl I56 and relieves the compression of the rubber sleeve I66,

thereby facilitating the removal of the last L from the last pin 88.

Figs. 8 and 9 show still another type of machine embodying the invention. In this type of machine, which is adapted more particularly to easier grades of work, air pressure alone is relied upon t remove the shoe or to aid the operator in removing it without the assistance of mechanical means. The supporting structure of the machine shown in Fig. 8 consists of a base I86 which supports an upright column I82. Upon the upper portion of the column I82 is a housing I84 having an upwardly extending post I86. Slldably mounted within the post I86 and extending upwardly therefrom is a tube I88 open at both ends and having a flange I96 surrounding its outer end. Fixed within the post I86 and extending upwardly therefrom and surrounding the tube I88 is a sleeve I92. The sleeve I92 does not extend upwardly as far as the flange I96, and the space between the upper end of the sleeve I92 and the flange I96 is filled by a packing sleeve or ring'I94 which is of rubberand which surrounds the tube I88. Resting upon the upper end of the post I86 and surrounding the sleeve I82 is a rubber gasket I96. The lower end of the tube I88- communicates with and is secured to a pipe I88 which also is slidably mounted within the post I86. The pipe I98 communicates with the outlet side of a self-closing and normally closed valve 266 having a stem 262. The inlet side of the valve 266 is connected by a short pipe 264 and an elbow 266 to an inlet pipe 268 which enters the housing I84 through an opening 2I6. The elbow 266 consists of a fitting ordinarily known as a T, the lower opening of the straight passageway of the T being closed by a plug 261. The outer end of the pipe 268 is connected through a flexible conduit 2| 2 to any convenient source of air under tion of the column I82.

upon a rod 2I6 extending upwardly within the column I82. The upper end of the rod 2 I6 is pivotally connected by a pin 2 IT to the plug 201 which is threaded into the elbow 206. A compression spring 2I8 has its lower end supported by an abutment 228 secured within the upper end por- The upper end of the spring 2&8 bears against a washer 222 which transmits the thrust of the spring into the elbow 205, tending to maintain the treadle 2I4 in a raised position against a surface 223 formed on the base I83 Slidably keyed within a bearing formed in the housing I84 is a pin 224 having an inclined cam surface 226 which is engageable by the valve stem 292 and which tends upon downward movement of the valve 229 to force the valve stem to the right, as shown in Fig. 8, and thereby to open the valve. Adjustment upwardly and downwardly of the pin 224, may be effected through a stem 22? upon which is threaded a nut 223.

In Figs. 8 and 9 is shown a last L having a shoe S thereon. This last is of the hinged type, comprising heel and forepart sections connected by a hinge. In the heel section of the last is the usual thimble hole 230 having a metallic lining 232 in the inner end of which is an opening 234. Also within the heel section of the last L is a valve casing 236 having a port 238 in communication with the inner end of the thimble hole 230. The casing 236 has a second port 248 which is in communication with a duct 242 formed in the last and leading to the last bottom. The casing 235 extends forwardly from the locality of the ports 238 and 24!], and with an upward inclination relatively to the last. The forward end of the casing 236 is open and is flush with the joint face. Within the casing 236 is slidably mounted a. valve 244. A compression spring 246 surrounding a stem formed on the inner end of the valve 244 is interposed between a shoulder on the valve 244 and the closed inner end of the casing 235. The spring 246 thus tends to urge the valve 244 outwardly. The valve is retained in the casing and is also held against rotation therein by a pin 248 which is secured to the casing and which extends within a slot 250 formed in the valve. Normally the spring 246 will maintain the valve 244 in the position indi cated in Fig. 8. The valve 244 has formed within it a duct 252 which, when the valve is in this position, connects the ports 238 and 240 enablingair to flow from the thimble hole of the last into the space between the last bottom and the interior of the shoe. In the forepart section of the hinged last L is a duct 254 having openings at the toe end of the last and adapted when the last is completely broken as shown in Fig. 7 to communicate with a duct 256 formed within the valve 244. A rubber packing ring or gasket 258 surrounding the end of the duct 254 bears against the end of the valve 244 and prevents leakage of air from between the valve 244 and the duct 254. Breaking of the last will cause the packing ring 258 to push the valve 244 inwardly against the spring 246. This will move the duct 252 out of register with the port 238 thereby cutting off the supply of air to the rear end of the shoe. The duct 255, however, has an opening 250 which, when the valve 244 is in the position shown in Fig. 9, will be in register with the port 238 so that air will now be allowed to flow from the thimble hole of the last into the forward end of the shoe.

In the operation of this type. of machine, the last L withthe shoe S thereon is. placed. upon the upper portions of the tube I88 and the sleeve I92, which may together be regarded as constituting a last pin. The expansible sleeve I94 is also received within the thimble hole of the last, and it may be regarded as constituting a portion of an expansible last pin. The treadle 2I4 is then depressed, causing a downward pull through the rod 21c upon the valve 22%). As the valve stem 222 moves downwardly the cam surface 225 exerts a thrust upon it, causing the valve to open. The downward pull also causes the packing sleeve 24 to be compressed between the flange I92 and the sleeve thereby sealing the thimble hole of the last against the escape of air and gripping the last firmly. As air pressure develops between the rear end of the shoe bottom and the last some of this air will spread to the space between the shoe upper and the last, thereby relieving friction. The heel end of the shoe will now offer but little if any resistance to the operator as he removes the heel end of the shoe from the last. In breaking the last, the valve 244 will be shifted to admit air pressure to the forward end of the shoe and the pressure of the air within this portion of the shoe will in a similar manner facilitate removal ofthe forward end of the shoe from the last. Upon release of the treadle, the valve 200 will be moved upwardly by the spring 2I8, and the valve 200 will be enabled to close.

Only one of the three lasts described in this specification is shown as having an air duct leading to the rear end surface of the last. The last L is shown in Figs. 3, 5, and 7 as having such a duct, I66. An equivalent duct may advantageously be employed in the lasts L and L but in order to simplify the disclosure the showing of it has been omitted except in the last L. Such a duct conveys the air directly to the rear end of the shoe, where it will break the adhesion between the sock lining and the last and slightly distend the heel end of the shoe, reducing friction and acting somewhat as a lubricant between the shoe and the last. In the absence of such a duct, there may be a tendency, when air is admitted between the last bottom and the heel end of the shoe, for the air pressure, in urging the shoe bottom away from the last, to tension the upper at the heel end of the shoe and thereby to cause this portion of the. upper to hug the last all the more tightly.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 0f the United States is:

1. A method of separating a shoe from a last which consists in supporting the last upon a last pin which engages the thimble hole of the last and in forcing air under pressure through the thimble hole and thence through one or more passages in the last to develop pressure between the shoe and the last.

2. A method of separating a shoe from a last which consists in directing air under pressure against the rear end of the interior of the shoe upper to loosen that portion of the shoe from a shoe to urge that portion of the shoe forwardly off the last. p

5. A method of separating a shoe fromra last which consists in mounting the last upon a last pin, expanding the last pin to grip the last and forcing air through the last pin and thence through a passageway in the last into the shoe to urge the shoe off the last.

6. A method of separating a shoe from a last which consists in mounting the last upon a last pin, forcing air through the last pin and thence through a passageway in the last to develop between the shoe and the last a pressure tending to move the shoe off the last, and applying to the outside of the shoe a force tending to assist the air pressure in removing the shoe from the last.

7. That improvement in methods of separating shoes from lasts whichconsists in the step of applying pressure in diverging directions simultaneously against a plurality of localities on the interior of a shoe upper to expand the shoe relatively to a last upon which the shoe is mounted and thereby to facilitate the removal ofthe shoe from the last.

8. That improvement in methods of separating shoes fromlasts which consists in the step of forcing air under pressure in divergingdirections simultaneously against a plurality of localities on the interior of a shoe upper to expand the shoe relatively to a last upon which the shoe is mounted and thereby to facilitate the removal of the shoe from the last.

9. That improvement in methods of separating shoes from lasts which consists in supporting a last with a shoe thereon upon alast pin which engages the thimble hole of the'last and in applying pressure through the thimble hole and thence through passages in the last, against a plurality of localities on the interior of the shoe upper, which pressure is'appliedsimultaneously in diverging directions against the respective localities to expand the shoe and thereby to facilitate its removal from the last. 7 10. That improvement in methods of separating shoes from lasts which'consists in mounting a last with a shoe thereon upon a last pin which en'- gag'es the thimble hole of the lastand forcing air under pressure through the last pin and thence throughdiverging passages in the last to'direct the air pressure against a plurality of localities simultaneously on the interior of the'shoe upper to expand. the shoe and thereby to'facilitatefits removal from, thelast.'

11,; A method of separating a shoe from a last which consists in supporting thelast uponja last ,pin',fapplyingpressurein diverging directions simultaneously against a pluralityof localities on the interior of the shoe upper to expand the shoe, and in exerting a force against the exterior of the shoe tojsep'arate the shoe from the last.

{12.QA] method of separating a shoe froma hingedlastl which consists in mounting the last upon a last'pin whichengages the thimblejhole or the lastand forcing air under'pressure through the last inv and thence through divergingpassages in the last to direct the air pressure simultaneously against a pluralitytof localitieson'the interiorof the'shoe upper to expand the shoe, applying a force against the rear portion of the shoein a direction to separate that portionof the shoe from the last, and in applyingpressure against the'tread surface of the forwardp'ortion of they shoe sole to break thelast and therebyto 7 airtunder pressure into the forward portion of the assist in the separation of the rear portion of the shoe from the last;

.13. A machine for separating shoes and lasts comprising means operable by engagement with a thimble hole of a last and with a shoe on the last to exert a separating force between the shoe and the last, and means for forcing air under pressure between the shoe and the last to facilitate the separation.

14. A machine for separating shoes and lasts comprising a hollow last pin for supporting a last with a shoe thereon, means for forcing air under pressure through said hollow last pin into the shoe to force the shoe from the last, and a valve in said forcing means for controlling the admission of air into the shoe.

15. A machine for separating shoes and lasts comprising a hollow last pin for supporting a last with a shoe thereon, means for forcing air under pressure through said hollow last pin into the shoe to force the shoe from the last, a valve in said forcing means for controlling the admission of air into the shoe, a treadle, and operating connections between said treadle and said valve.

16. A machine for separating shoes and lasts comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, a roll engageable with the shoe on the last, means for rotating the roll to separate the shoe from the last, and means for forcing air under pressure between the shoe and the last to facilitate the separation of the shoe from the last.

17. A machine for separating shoes and lasts comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, a roll engageable with the counter portion of the shoe on the last, means for rotating the roll to separate the shoe from the last, and means for forcing air under pressure between the shoe and the last to facilitate the separation of the shoe from the last.

18. A machine for separating shoes and lasts comprising a support for a last with a shoe thereon, a roll, means for moving said last support to bring the counter portion of the shoe into engagement with said roll, means for rotating said roll to effect relative separation between the shoe and the last, and means for forcing air under pressure between the shoe andthe last to facilitate the separation of the shoe from the last.

19. A machine for separating shoes and lasts comprising a hollow last pin for supporting a last with a shoe thereon, a pivotally mounted lever carrying said last pin, a roll, means for moving said lever toward said roll to bring the counter portion of the shoe into engagement with said roll, means for rotating said roll in a direction to separate the shoe from'the last, and means for forcing air through said hollow last pin into the shoe to facilitatethe separation of the shoe from the last. a

20. A machine for separating shoes and lasts comprising a support for a last with a shoe there- 121;"A machine for separating shoes and lasts comprising a hollow last pin for supporting a last with a shoe thereon, a conduit connected at one end to said hollow last pin and adapted at the other endto be connected to a supply of air under pressure, a normally closed valve in said conduit, a roll, a support for said last pin mounted for movement toward said roll to bring the counter portion of the shoe into engagement with said roll, means for rotating said roll to cause separation of the shoe and the last, and means for opening said valve upon movement of said last pin support toward said roll, thereby admitting air under pressure into the shoe to facilitate separation of the shoe from the last.

22. A machine for separating shoes and lasts comprising a hollow last pin for supporting a last with a shoe thereon, means for introducing air under pressure through said hollow last pin into the shoe to force the shoe from the last, and a packing ring of yieldable material surrounding said last pin to prevent the escape of the air through the thimble hole of the last.

23. A machine for separating shoes and lasts comprising a hollow last pin for supporting a last with a shoe thereon, means for introducing air under pressure through said hollowilast pin into the shoe to force the shoe from the last, a resilient packing ring surrounding said last pin, and means for expanding said packing ring to prevent the escape of the air through the thimble hole of the last.

24. A machine for separating shoes and lasts comprising a hollow last pin for supporting a 7 last with a shoe thereon, a support in which said last pin is mounted for relative reciprocation, means for introducing air under pressure through said hollow last pin into the shoe to force the shoe from the last, a resilient packing ring surrounding said last pin and adapted to be received within the thimble hole of the last, said last pin being constructed and arranged upon relative retraction with respect to said support to compress said packing ring against the interior of the thimble hole of the last, and means for effecting relative retraction of said last pin with respect to said support, thereby causing said packing ring to grip the interior of the thimble hole of the last to secure the last upon the last pin and to seal the thimble hole against the escape of the air.

25. A machine for separating shoes and lasts comprising a hollow last pin for supporting a last with a shoe thereon, a support in which said last pin is mounted for relative reciprocation, means for introducing air under pressure through said hollow last pin into the shoe to force the shoe from the last, a valve in said introducing means for controlling the admission of the air, means for effecting relative retraction and extension of said last pin with respect to said support, and

means operated by said last-mentioned means to open said valve upon relative retraction of said last pin and to close said valve upon relative extension of said last pin.

26. A machine for separating shoes and lasts comprising a hollow last pin for supporting a last with a shoe thereon, a support in which said last pin is mounted for reciprocation, means for retracting and extending said last pin relatively to said support, means for introducing air under pressure through said hollow last pin into the shoe to force the shoe from the last, a valve in said introducing means for controlling the admission of air, means operated by said retracting and extending means to open said valve upon retraction of said last pin and to close said valve upon extension of said last pin, and a resilient packing ring surrounding said last pin and adapted to be received within the thimble hole of the last, said last pin being constructed and arranged upon retraction to compress said packing ring longitudinally, thereby causing said packing ring to grip the interior of the thimble hole of the last to secure the last upon the last pin and to seal the thimble hole against the escape of air.

27. A support for a last comprising a pin adapted to be received Within the thimble hole of a last, a ring of resilient material surrounding said pin and adapted to be received within the thimble hole of the last, and means for expanding said ring diametrically to cause said ring to grip the interior of the thimble hole.

28. A support for a last comprising a pin adapted to be received within the thimble hole of a last, a ring of resilient material surrounding said pin and adapted to be received within the thimbl-e hole of the last, said pin having a shoulder engageable with one end of said ring, an abutment for the other end of said ring, and means for causing relative axial movement between said pin and said abutment to compress said ring longitudinally, thereby causing said ring to expand diametrically to grip the interior of the thimble hole of the last.

29. A support for a last comprising a pin adapted to be received within the thimble hole of a last, a support for said last pin, a ring of resilient material surrounding said last pin and adapted to be received within the thimble hole 30. A machine for effecting relative movement between lasts and shoes comprising a pin adapted to be received within the thimble hole of a last with a shoe thereon, a ring of resilient material surrounding said pin and adapted to be received Within the thimble hole of the last, means for efiecting relative movement between the shoe and the last, and means for expanding said ring diametrically to cause said ring to grip the interior of the thimble hole.

, 31. A machine for effecting relative movement between lasts and shoes comprising a pin adapted to be received within the thimble hole of a last with a shoe thereon, a ring of resilient material surrounding said pin and adapted to be received within the thimble hole of the last, a friction member engageable with the outside of the shoe, means for effecting relative movement between said friction member and said last pin to cause relative movement of the shoe and the last, and means for expanding said ring diametrically to cause said ring to grip the interior of the thimble hole.

32. A machine for separating shoes and lasts comprising .a hollow last pin, a device for gripping a shoe on a last on said last pin, means for withdrawing said last pin from said gripping device to remove the last from the shoe, and means operated by said withdrawing means for forcing air through said hollow last pin and thence through one or more passages of the last into the shoe to facilitate the separation of the last from the shoe.

ELMER B. GRUSH. 

